Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Calderon announced yesterday the designation of Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales, head of the Southern Police District, as officer-in-charge of the Manila Police District, replacing Senior Superintendent Danilo Abarzosa.
Calderon assigned Abarzosa as the new director of the Philippine National Police Academy in Silang, Cavite.
The PNP chief also named Senior Superintendent Leon Nilo dela Cruz, formerly assigned at the National Capital Region Police Office, as officer-in-charge of the Southern Police District replacing Rosales.
Rosales and Dela Cruz are both members of the Philippine Military Academy Class 1978 which has adopted President Arroyo as honorary member. Abarzosa is a graduate of the PNPA Class 1980.
Deputy Director General Avelino Razon Jr., PNP deputy director for administration and also the head of the Senior Officers Placement and Promotions Board, said Calderon had approved the appointment of Rosales to the MPD.
Calderon also directed Metro Manila police chief Deputy Director General Reynaldo Varilla to inform Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and Abarzosa regarding the turnover of command of the new MPD chief.
“The reshuffle of these Metro district directors was the outcome of the commitment of the PNP to improve its services to the public, especially the residents of Manila and the cities and municipalities under the watch of the SPD,” Calderon said.
Calderon said Rosales’ first marching orders is to conduct a crackdown against illegal drug syndicates operating in Manila and to arrest the recent upsurge of street crimes brought about by gang wars.
Rosales, former provincial director of Quezon province, has been dubbed as “kilabot ng mga pusher” for his accomplishments in the government’s anti-drug campaign and the arrest of Mayor Ronnie Mitra of Panulukan, Quezon .
The STAR reported that Rosales was the personal choice of President Arroyo for Manila to handle the peace and order in the country’s capital in case supporters of jailed President Joseph Estrada conduct protest demonstrations once the Sandiganbayan issues a decision on his plunder case.
The PNP chief said the appointment of Abarzosa was lauded by the alumni of the PNPA who were clamoring for a PNPA graduate to be the police school’s next director.
Rosales said that he is initially eyeing the post as Southern Tagalog police director but would vow to the wishes of President Arroyo.
“But if the President wanted me at the MPD, then I will follow orders,” said Rosales in a text message to The STAR.
Rosales is currently on vacation with his family in the United States and is scheduled to return to the country on July 19.
However, he will be arriving in the country on Sunday, four days ahead of schedule, because President Arroyo wanted him at the helm of the MPD at “the earliest possible time.”
For his part, De la Cruz thanked Calderon, Razon and Varilla for their thrust and confidence in his leadership. “I already received my orders to assume the position of SPD director vacated by my classmate,” said De la Cruz, adding he is awaiting word from Camp Crame for his formal assumption of the post. – With Nestor Etolle, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Fritsche Bautista